Second Chances (Eric and Tris)

Venting: Part 5

All day Tris had a hard time concentrating. Her thoughts kept going back to Eric. He turned out to be a great house-guest. They got along much better than she ever thought they would. As soon as they got to work, they went their own separate ways. Tris to her office to do filing, and Eric around the compound. Before she knew it, it was lunch time. Eric's blond head popped into her office. "You going to work through lunch or do you want to go grab a bite?" Tris looked up as the figure from her musings appeared.

"Lunch sounds great." As if to confirm this, her stomach gave a loud rumble. Eric laughed out loud as Tris blushed.

"Guess you really are hungry. You know you should consider eating breakfast. Coffee isn't enough to keep you tided over till lunch. Tomorrow on the way in we should stop and grab a muffin or something at the pit." Eric talked as they walked to the pit for lunch. They both grabbed trays and got into line. They continued to talk happily. Neither of them noticed Four, Christina and Will watching them. Four getting more angry by the second. Once they had gotten their food, Eric spotted the trio. He nodded to them. "You going to eat with them? I think that if you don't you will never hear the end of it." Tris nodded her head and moved in the opposite direction as Eric and over to her friends. She sat down next to Four.

"Hey. How's everything going?" She asked, unaware of the daggers that Four had been shooting them just a minute ago. Four turned to her.

"You and Eric seem rather chummy. Good night?" Tris narrowed her eyes at Fours tone.

"Our night was fine. He really isn't as bad as you make him out to be. I am not really sure what your problem is with him Four. And for us being chummy, we are attempting to be friends as we are living together. I am sorry Four that this bothers you, but are you really going to let this come between us?" Tris ended her rant with a glare at Four. Christina and Will sat in a stunned silence, watching the two.

"You know how I feel about this Tris. Give him time, he will take advantage of the situation. And as for my history with Eric, it is just that, MY history." Tris sat back as if physically struck.

"I see. You need to know everything that happens in my life and the reason behind it, but I am not privy to information about your life. That is a bit of a double standard don't you think Four? If this relationship is going to work, the honesty has to go both ways. It can't be that one sided." Tris watched to see what Four would say. However he just sat there and looked at her with a hard look. He then proceeded to turn away from her and start a conversation with Will. Tris couldn't believe that he would blow off their conversation this way. She looked at Christina. She had an equally disbelieving look on her face. However Four soon drew her into the conversation. Tris sat there for a moment picking at her food, waiting to be involved in the conversation. However, this was not happening. Frustrated, Tris slammed her silverware down on the tray and stood up. Everyone looked up as she stood. Tris looked right at Four, "When you decided to stop acting like a child and would like to have an adult conversation, let me know. Otherwise, stay out of my way. I don't have time for this bullshit drama." Tris picked up her tray and left her friends staring after her, dumbfounded. None of them noticed that Eric had seen the whole exchange. He also stood, making his excuses to his friends and walked back to the lunch line. He picked up a sandwich and an apple, grabbing them to go and slowly followed Tris back to the office. Arriving about 5 minutes after Tris, he figured it had been enough time for her to cool down a bit. He gave a brisk two knocks on the door before pushing it open. Tris looked up. She had both hands in her hair, and her hands pushed through her long strands until her hands came to rest at the nape of her neck. She let out a deep sigh. Eric invited himself in. He closed the door and sat down. He placed the sandwich and apple in front of her.

"You left without eating. Eat when you are hungry." Eric turned to leave.

"Thank you." Tris said softly. Eric gave her a small smile before shutting the door. There was no use in push his company, when she needed to be alone.